STUDY OF CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS POISONING AT A PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Organophosphate (OP) compounds are widely used as pesticides in agricultural parts of the world.Acute cholinergic syndrome starts within few minutes of exposure and muscarinic or nicotinic features may be present.Present study was undertaken to clinical profile of patients with acute organophosphorus poisoning at a private hospital.Present study was single-center,prospective,observational study, conducted patients with history of acute organophosphorus poisoning of either sex and above 18 years of age admitted to hospital. In present study 35 cases of OP poisoning were studied. Majority were from 21-30 years age group (37.14 %), were male (71.43 %), had accidental poisoning (65.71 %) & ingestion was common mode of exposure (80 %). According to clinical features, common symptoms were excessive salivation (77.14 %) followed by nausea (62.86 %),vomiting (54.29 %),giddiness (37.14 %) & diarrhoea (31.43 %).While common signs were miosis (74.29 %), fasciculation (62.86 %), bradycardia (54.29 %), increased bronchial secretions (45.71 %) & oro-nasal frothing (25.71 %). In present study, chlorpyriphos (37.14 %) was most common compound observed,followed by monocrotophos (31.43 %),dimethoate (11.43 %),triazofos (5.71 %),profenofos (5.71 %),phorate (5.71 %) & quinalphos (2.86 %). According to Peradeniya OP poisoning scale, majority cases had mild OP poisoning (65.71 %). In present study, common complications observed were respiratory failure (25.71 %), electrolyte disturbances (22.86 %), convulsions (8.57 %), multisystem failure (8.57 %), aspiration pneumonia (5.71 %), circulatory collapse (5.71 %) & sepsis (2.86 %). 2 deaths (5.71 %) were observed in present study.The importance of rapid diagnosis,early and effective treatment should not be overlooked because patients who receive early & effective treatment generally will do better and have less complications and decreased morbidity & mortality rates.